Tears perform functions essential to the overall health and comfort of your eyes. According to the National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, your eyes need tears to keep them moist, clean and free of bacteria that can cause eye infections. When the lacrimal glands of your eyes, responsible for tear production, fail to produce tears, effects can include pain, stinging, eye fatigue and blurred vision. Treatments for dry eye depend on its cause, but usually include therapy involving vitamins and supplements intended to relieve the effects of dry eyes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may help stimulate tear production, according to an article published in "EyeWorld" magazine. Vanessa Caceres, an "EyeWorld" contributing editor, states that while research is ongoing, studies spanning a period of 10 years shows promising results. In addition to stimulating tear production, Caceres states that omega-3 fatty acids also appear to work by reducing inflammation and by changing the lipid composition in the meibominan oil producing glands in your lower eyelid.
MayoClinic.com notes that omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil, can leave an unpleasant aftertaste and cause nausea. To avoid these effects, MayoClinic.com recommends omega-3 food sources, such as walnuts, oily fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel or sardines and oils such as canola, flaxseed or soybean oil (See References 5).
Ionic Minerals
"Regenerative Nutrition" lists proper body hydration as a prerequisite to preventing dry eyes and recommends a daily supplement of full spectrum salts to improve overall hydration and prevent dry eyes. Full spectrum salts are a mixture of salts, minerals and trace elements that help cells absorb extracellular fluid and maintain a positive fluid balance in your body. According to "Regenerative Nutrition," a daily supplement consisting of 1 to 3 tbsp. of full spectrum salts dissolved in a pint of water is the general recommendation.
Vitamin A
As the Linus Pauling Institute notes, prolonged vitamin A deficiency can cause cell mutations in the cornea and lead to a condition known as xeropthalmia, also called dry eye. Although vitamin A supplements are not effective for treating dry eyes resulting from causes other than vitamin A deficiency, the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center states that when a deficiency is the cause, an eye ointment containing vitamin A can be helpful. Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene eye drops can also be helpful and according to DryEyePain.com, is a safer way to administer the treatment.
References
- National Eye Institute -- National Institutes of Health: Facts About Dry Eye
- Linus Pauling Institute -- Oregon State University: Micronutrient Information Center -- Vitamin A
- University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center: Dry Eye Syndrome
- Eye World: Dry Eye -- Omega-3 Fatty Acids Thought to Benefit Dry Eye Patients
- MayoClinic: Dry Eyes -- Alternative Medicine
